Feasibility Study

FoR recognised that, while a simple, way-marked path could be established within its own resources, a route meeting international standards of access, surface and security, with appropriate signage and information and safe main road crossings, would require substantial investment.  A detailed feasibility study  would be needed to establish costs, demand and potential economic returns on investment. FoR accordingly sought and was grateful to receive grants from the North Wessex Downs AONB, from its Sustainable Development Fund; from the Salisbury Plain Local Action Group, Plain Action, from LEADER funds; and from Wiltshire Council.   These grants enabled FoR to commission a Feasibility Study from a consortium of professionals, led by Land Access Ltd.  The study was completed by early-April, 2010, and its conclusions were as follows:-

• The proposal is a good fit with the relevant national and regional strategies, and with Wiltshire’s Rights of Way Improvement and Local Transport Plans.
• As a good quality route with a very strong heritage theme, The Great Stones Way should appeal to a great many walkers and quickly establish itself as a high-profile Strategic Regional Route. Usage is conservatively estimated at between 250,000 and 400,000 walkers per year.
• Development is technically feasible, although there are concerns as to the major road crossings – some of which can be alleviated by choice of route. Continuation of the route south of Stonehenge is likely to require amendment to the Longbarrow crossroads on the A303.
• The likely cost of development, including legal costs, contingency and project management, is estimated to be in the region of £105,000 from Avebury to Stonehenge and £160,000 for continuation all the way to Old Sarum.
• The route, once fully established, is expected to generate economic benefits of between £6mn and £10mn per annum, conservatively based on the experience of other similar trails.
• Existing services are adequate to launch the route, but demand generated by the project would support additional provision, creating 160 to 260 new jobs.
• There is good opportunity to develop a series of shorter distance circular walks based on the spine of the GSW.  The number of archaeological and historic attractions en route is overwhelming.
• The proposal fits well with the advertised aims of several grant schemes, particularly LEADER, with its focus on economic development.
• The overall conclusion is that there is a very strong economic case for developing The Great Stones Way.